Afghanistan should give coherent message for peace: Pak

Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday said Afghanistan should give a unified and coherent message for peace and reconciliation with the Taliban as it dismissed the perception that Islamabad actually controls the militant outfit.

"We believe that there is a need for a more unified and coherent messaging from Kabul in favour of peace and reconciliation with Taliban," Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said while addressing the 5th round of Pak-Afghan Dialogue organised by the Regional Peace Institute think-tank.

Highlighting the challenges for peace in Afghanistan, he said that prolonged political instability in Afghanistan had created a fertile ground for foreign meddling after 9/11, while different militant groups have become dominant in different parts of Afghanistan.

He said the announcement of the death of Mullah Omar in July 2015 not only scuttled the Afghan peace process, it also led to the splintering of the Taliban.

"Negative statements about Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan tend to impede the constructive bilateral engagement. Pakistan as a policy has continued to show restraint in responding to such negative remarks," he said.

He said vested interests have often tried to create a perception that Pakistan actually controls the Taliban. "Such an impression breeds unrealistic expectations from Pakistan. The mistrust between the two countries has also affected the efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said.

He also mentioned the presence of 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and the porous border as major challenges in Pak-Afghan relations.

He said that without reconciliation, peace cannot return to Afghanistan for which the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) can play an important role.

"The immediate goal is cessation of violence. The QCG can play a key role in achieving this goal. However, the process leading to that goal needs patience and time," he said.

He also suggested that there is a need for wide ranging discussion between Pakistan and Afghanistan at all levels, government, intelligentsia, civil society and media to restore trust and strengthen bilateral relations.

Aziz demanded robust institutional interaction at political, military-to-military and intelligence level to put relations on an even keel and restore trust and confidence.

He said Pakistan has a vital stake in peace and stability in Afghanistan and it goes without saying that without a stable Afghanistan, the security challenges facing Pakistan cannot be effectively addressed.

"For Pakistan, the security situation in Afghanistan is a matter of serious concern. We have strongly condemned recent terrorist incidents in Afghanistan, particularly the April 19 terrorist attack in Kabul," he said.

He said Pakistan would continue to make sincere efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.